The skies over Roswell, New Mexico, are set to come alive with the thrill of air racing.
Shrinking SAAF budget puts Denel's aircraft maintenance and repair facilities in jeopardy.
Textron Aviation delivers first Cessna SkyCourier twin turboprop into Canada.
AFRICOM carries out first Trump-directed airstrike on ISIS-Somalia.
AAD acknowledges “public concerns” around air force golf day.
Embraer celebrates 10 years of the first flight of the KC-390 Millennium.
Understanding the leadership position of U.S. aviation manufacturing.
GE Aerospace T901 engine powers Black Hawk for first time in successful ground runs.
This week in history - Birth of Didier Delsalle, French Helicopter test pilot, first pilot to land a Helicopter on Mount Everest.
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus video - EAA Chapter 322 Silver Creek Pancake Fly In
THE SKIES OVER ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO, ARE SET TO COME ALIVE WITH THE THRILL OF AIR RACING
The skies over Roswell, New Mexico, are set to come alive with the thrill of air racing as the National Championship Air Races prepares for an exciting new season. In a pivotal gathering on January 14th, Class Presidents, FAA partners, and leaders of the Roswell community convened to map out the future of this beloved event.
The expansive 82-acre event layout at Roswell Air Center promises a world-class experience.
Highlights include:
Enhanced parking facilities will accommodate over 400 transient aircraft. Up to 500 RV dry camping spots for fans and teams. Dedicated emergency access routes and operational zones prioritizing safety and convenience.
Dynamic marketing campaigns are in the works to highlight not just the adrenaline-pumping races, but also the vibrant culture of Roswell and southeastern New Mexico. This event is shaping up to be more than a race-it's a celebration of community, speed, and skill.
Event attendees flying into Roswell can look forward to ample transportation options as two of the airport's main rental car providers, Enterprise/National and Avis/Budget, have pledged their support. Both companies are committed to ensuring sufficient rental cars are available to accommodate the influx of visitors for the National Championship Air Races. While final details are still being ironed out, early indications suggest a positive outlook, with these major providers actively working to meet the increased demand.
There are a few key issues with the grandstands that are impacting the ticketing process. Due to changes in ADA compliance codes, the grandstand can no longer be built with 32 seats across each row. The new limit is 17 seats per row, which will impact the seat numbering and placement vs. the previous facility. Our team is working to create a new seat map that accounts for these changes; it is a time-consuming and tricky process to get right, and once we have the new map worked out, we will begin getting our tickets online for purchase.
The City of Roswell, led by Mayor Tim Jennings, has extended an enthusiastic welcome to the air racing community, as have county and state officials. Collaborative efforts between all levels New Mexico government and FAA representatives aim to ensure safety, efficiency, and the unforgettable excitement fans have come to expect.
Director Bobbi Thompson unveiled a carefully designed site plan that emphasizes functionality and excitement. Features include upgraded facilities for pilot registration, media operations, and streamlined transportation solutions, ensuring every aspect of the event runs smoothly.
The excitement reached new heights as the first pilots took to the skies over the newly designed racecourse, offering a glimpse of the action to come. These early flights underscore the potential for a groundbreaking season ahead.
SHRINKING SAAF BUDGET PUTS DENEL'S AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FACILITIES IN JEOPARDY
Kim Helfrich www.defenceweb.co.za
Answering a Parliamentary question regarding Denel aircraft maintenance capabilities, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga acknowledged the State-owned defence and technology conglomerate faced a skilled personnel shortage as well as having to put up with “a chronic shortage of funds”.
She was replying to Democratic Alliance (DA) deputy defence and military veterans' spokesman Maliyakhe Shelembe who wanted to know if the Irene, Centurion, headquartered State-owned enterprise (SOE) is able to ensure “combat readiness” of aircraft in the SA Air Force (SAAF) inventory.
The current state of readiness of SAAF airframes Denel is responsible for stand at a lone C-130BZ authorised for South African airspace only, a miserly three of 33 Oryx medium transport helicopters and not one of 11 Rooivalk combat support rotary-winged aircraft fit to fly, according to the Ministerial response.
As regards 28 Squadron's long-serving C-130BZ medium lift aircraft Motshekga, in part, told her questioner it “has become difficult to maintain the expertise and plan for succession due to chronic under-funding”.
Denel, the Ministerial reply has it, supplies expertise to the SAAF which does all repairs and support on the C-130BZ fleet at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof, where 28 Squadron is housed. She further pointed out “current funding levels” pointed to Denel losing its accreditation as an aircraft maintenance organisation (AMO) for the C-130BZ. Without the accreditation it will not be possible to maintain the airworthiness of the four-engined transport workhorse.
“A number of experts that Denel uses are employed on a contract basis as some have reached retirement age and have not been replaced due to the uncertainty of future funding being made to maintain the aircraft,” Shelembe was told with the rider that there is “currently no local alternative” to support the C-130BZ. Marshall in Cambridge, England, is one of two organisations - the other is in Portugal - that maintain the American-built military airlifter in addition to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The SAAF is using Marshall to maintain and refurbish some of the C-130BZ fleet.
When it comes to the SAAF Rooivalk and Oryx helicopter inventory, Denel as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is the only entity able to maintain and support them.
This responsibility has seen an engine and mechanical workshop along with a blade spinning rig and autoclave for the rotary-wing aircraft set up at Denel.
The engine repair shop needs a minimum throughput - which the SAAF cannot provide - to remain operational. The same holds true for the mechanical workshop where helicopter gearboxes and drive trains are serviced and repaired.
A blade spinning rig doesn't work anymore with lack of funding and the loss of what the ministerial response labels “specialist resources” to blame. This is the human component which is no longer there thanks to either retirement or exit of experienced personnel. Helicopter blades needing balancing are now shipped to France.
TEXTRON AVIATION DELIVERS FIRST CESSNA SKYCOURIER TWIN TURBOPROP INTO CANADA
With the ability to be operated by a single pilot, the SkyCourier is an ideal solution for air freight, passenger and special missions. The aircraft is highly adaptable and can easily adjust configurations to effectively complete virtually any mission, supporting a significant return on investment. The aircraft also has capabilities to support a wide range of operational activities in remote areas.
Air Bravo, which was founded in 2001, has grown to become one of Ontario's most successful air carriers. The company offers reliable passenger, cargo and air ambulance flight services to nearly any airstrip in North America.
“We're proud to be the first SkyCourier customer in Canada, and this aircraft is a perfect fit for supporting the cargo side of our business,” said Rick Horwath, president and CEO, Air Bravo. “The aircraft has a roomy cockpit, it's easy to fly and the avionics are user friendly. We look forward to putting it to use.”
Textron Aviation announced the Cessna SkyCourier was awarded type certification by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) in late 2024. The twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators. It's available in both freighter and passenger variants, as well with a Combi configuration or gravel kit for maximum flexibility.
The freighter variant is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000 pounds of payload capability. The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds.
The SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminium four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to enhance the performance of the aircraft while hauling tremendous loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 ktas and a 900 nautical-mile maximum range.
AFRICOM CARRIES OUT FIRST TRUMP-DIRECTED AIRSTRIKE ON ISIS-SOMALIA
Pearl Matibe www.defenceweb.co.za
At the direction of President Donald J Trump, the United States carried out its first airstrike of his second term, targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives in the Golis Mountains. Conducted by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and coordinated with the Federal Government of Somalia, the strike resulted in multiple militant casualties, with no civilians harmed, according to initial assessments.
This is according to a Pentagon statement made public on 1 February 2025-the same day of the strike. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, who joined President Trump's Cabinet after confirmation by the 119th Congress, confirmed the strike in a statement. “At President Trump's direction and in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, we authorized US Africa Command to conduct coordinated airstrikes today targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives in the Golis Mountains,” Hegseth stated.
“This action further degrades ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening US citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians and sends a clear signal that the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies, even as we conduct robust border-protection and many other operations under President Trump's leadership.”
The Horn of Africa remains a key battleground in the global fight against terrorism. Somalia, in particular, has long been a focal point for extremist activity, as highlighted in the presentation African Resurgence: The Growing Threat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda and the Expansion of Asymmetric Warfare in Africa, delivered at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 Conference. In this discussion, Dr Mahmut Cengiz and I underscored how East African countries like Somalia continue to be critical fronts in the war against ISIS and al-Qaeda, with terrorist groups expanding their influence and adapting their tactics. President Trump's directive to strike ISIS-Somalia reflects a strategic decision to target these threats at their core.
This latest airstrike follows a string of US counterterrorism efforts in Somalia. In May 2024, AFRICOM conducted a precision airstrike near Dhaardaar, 81 kilometres southeast of Bosaso, killing three ISIS militants without civilian casualties. The operation was part of a broader US strategy to support Somali-led efforts to dismantle terrorist networks.
The US has maintained a persistent military presence in Somalia since 2022, providing training, intelligence, and operational support to the Somali National Army (SNA), particularly the elite Danab commandos. AFRICOM has also worked alongside the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to counter the region's terrorist threats.
Beyond the battlefield, the US has focused on disrupting ISIS-Somalia's financial networks. The US Department of the Treasury in past administrations identified the group as a key player in illicit financing, using extortion and money laundering to fund operations. By striking leadership and operational cells, the US previously aimed to weaken ISIS's ability to sustain attacks both regionally and globally.
Before the start of President Trump's second presidency, in the Horn of Africa AFRICOM's efforts include supporting the Somali government's fight against al-Qaeda's largest franchise-al-Shabaab-as well as ISIS-Somalia. Under President Trump's administration, executing its national security priorities is key, and the focus on ISIS-Somalia in this airstrike marks a defining moment in its counterterrorism efforts in Africa.
Trump was sworn in to office as the 47th President of the United States-for his second term - on 20 January 2025. Five days later, Hegseth was sworn in as the 29th Secretary of Defence to lead the Pentagon. 12 days later, following the Trump order, his first airstrike on ISIS-Somalia was carried out.
Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based geopolitical analyst and correspondent with expertise in foreign policy and international security, regularly covering the State Department, Pentagon, and White House. Follow her on X (Twitter): @PearlMatibe.
AAD ACKNOWLEDGES “PUBLIC CONCERNS” AROUND AIR FORCE GOLF DAY
www.defenceweb.co.za
Support for SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, in the wake of the renamed CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day soon after South African soldiers came under fire with 14 killed 3 800 km from home came from the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition after Mbambo was vilified in the media.
In statement, the four AAD partners, in alphabetical order - Armscor, the Commercial Aviation Association of SA (CAASA), the Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DoDMV), represented by the SAAF, and the SA Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD) - acknowledged “public concerns” around the “annual CAF benevolent golf day”.
The statement has it AAD remains committed to recognising and supporting the armed forces “ensuring that strategic collaborations continue to strengthen South Africa's defence capabilities”. Sacrifices made by “courageous individuals in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), particularly those involved in critical peacekeeping missions, are deeply honoured” it reads, in part.
“AAD and its leadership offers their heartfelt sympathies to the families [of those killed] and the entire SANDF community during this challenging period. Their dedication and bravery in the pursuit of peace and security will always be remembered.”
AAD, as per the statement, has “traditionally taken part in the SAAF golf day as a demonstration of our dedication to promoting involvement in the aerospace and defence sector. This event serves not only as a social gathering but also as a strategic networking opportunity, uniting essential industry stakeholders, decision-makers and defence collaborators”.
“These interactions are essential for enhancing relationships, promoting collaboration and aiding the enduring development of South Africa's defence capabilities.”
On the major outcome of the golf day - revenue to boost worthy SAAF causes and charities - AAD notes the event “lays a crucial role in supporting the families of SAAF personnel in need, particularly those who have lost loved ones, as well as other SANDF charity initiatives”.
“The purpose of this year's event was to reinforce and encourage the benevolent fundraising initiative, which aims to provide essential financial assistance to the surviving families of the brave soldiers who tragically lost their lives last week in the DRC. The funds raised will help address both the immediate and long-term needs of these bereaved families, ensuring they receive the necessary support during this difficult time.”
The SAAF statement on the golf day, released on 30 January two days after the event, has it Mbambo in agreement with the chiefs of the other two SANDF combat services - Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha (SA Army) and Vice Admiral Monde Lobese (SA Navy) - hosted an important meeting with “key strategic defence industry players”.
Pointing out the SAAF golf day took place “earlier in the week”, the statement said the meeting was to “encourage and re-emphasise the benevolent fundraising initiative aimed at providing much-needed financial support specifically to the surviving families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives last week in the DRC”.
“The fundraising drive will help cover the immediate and long-term needs of the bereaved families, ensuring that they receive the assistance they deserve in their time of mourning.”
EMBRAER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE KC-390 MILLENNIUM
With its cutting-edge technology, exceptional range, and versatility, the KC-390 Millennium has solidified its position as a game-changer, expanding its customer's operational capabilities
São José dos Campos, February 3, 2025 - Embraer (NYSE: ERJ/B3: EMBR3) celebrates today 10 years of the first flight of the KC-390 Millennium, the next-generation multi-mission tactical transport aircraft. The maiden flight, which took place in Gavião Peixoto on February 3rd, 2015, lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes. It provided the crew with an evaluation of the flight characteristics and impressive performance of the KC-390 Millennium.
Since then, this fly-by-wire-equipped aircraft has redefined the standards of military airlift, performing a wide range of missions in the most demanding conditions, while achieving remarkable success in global defence markets.
In October 2018, the KC-390 Millennium achieved two additional significant milestones: the first flight of the first series-produced aircraft and the receipt of the Type Certificate from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). This certification marked a critical milestone towards achieving military certification and demonstrated the aircraft's advanced technological level.
“In just one decade, the KC-390 has proven to be an unbeatable combination of versatility, robustness and flexibility, steadily gaining its place in the market and becoming the ideal choice for countries looking for a multi-mission tactical military transport. This aircraft combines the best of aerospace technology with the spirit of Embraer, dedicated to excellence and performance, enabling our customers to execute their missions anytime, anywhere,” says Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer of Defence & Security.
Between August and September 2019, the signing of the contract with Portugal for the acquisition of five KC-390 multi-mission aircraft and the delivery of the first unit to the Brazilian Air Force marked additional important chapters in the KC-390 Millennium's success story.
In 2020, one of the most prestigious aviation magazines, Aviation Week, awarded the KC-390 Millennium the Grand Laureate in the Defence category and the Laureate Awards for “Best New Product” in the Defence category. Some days later, Hungary joined the ranks of countries that selected the KC-390 Millennium to enhance their defence capabilities with Embraer's state-of-the-art aircraft.
“The acquisition of the KC-390 by Portugal and Hungary, two leading NATO members, has enabled the KC-390 Millennium to make significant strides in Europe, showcasing the outstanding flexibility, operational efficiency, and low operating costs of this remarkable aircraft,” said Bosco da Costa Junior.
In 2022, the Netherlands announced its choice for the Millennium. In 2023, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea also selected the KC-390, confirming the success of this game-changer platform. In 2024, Sweden, Slovakia and an Undisclosed Customer have also opted for the KC-390.
Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and, most recently the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of 10 operational aircraft - seven with the Brazilian Air Force, two with the Portuguese Air Force and one with the Hungarian Air Force - has accumulated over 16,300 flight hours, with a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category.
The KC-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, air-to-air refuelling both as a tanker and a receiver, firefighting and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as packed earth, soil and gravel.
UNDERSTANDING THE LEADERSHIP POSITION OF U.S. AVIATION MANUFACTURING
With the announcement on Saturday of the Trump Administration's intent to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is underscoring the significant contributions of the U.S. aviation manufacturing sector and its global leadership position.
The general aviation industry delivers $247 billion in annual output and supports over 1.1 million jobs in the United States. In 2023, U.S. fixed-wing aircraft manufacturers exported a total of 490 piston, turboprop and jet airplanes, representing about 24.6% of the total number of aircraft produced. These exports were valued at an estimated $5.2 billion, which was approximately 46% of all U.S. general aviation manufacturers' total billings for fixed-wing aircraft. The 2024 shipments and billings numbers, as well an updated U.S. Economic Impact Study, will be released in Washington D.C. on February 19th.
Given the global nature of the aviation manufacturing industry, these proposed tariffs, as well as potential reciprocating tariffs, could have an enormous impact with many unintended consequences on the industry.
The U.S. aviation industry's trade surplus and global competitiveness has benefited from generally being excluded from tariffs, through the utilization of robust safety bilateral agreements between the U.S. and other countries to advance aviation safety and efficiently facilitate the global flow of products. U.S. industry benefits from this arrangement, given its collective technical strength, history of innovation, global competitiveness and proven economic record as a net exporter. Additionally, these arrangements have led to stable and increased investment in research and development, engineering, advanced manufacturing processes and innovation.
Tariffs would affect the intricate and very complex global supply chain that can take years to establish given that it relies on suppliers with unique capabilities that are highly regulated and therefore cannot be easily replaced. Even in instances where alternative suppliers may exist, or could be created domestically, aviation manufacturers cannot rapidly shift to different sources or facilities without FAA regulatory approval, potentially compromising contracts, safety and compliance, quality and value to the consumer.
Another area of impact is the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, which employs almost 210,000 people in the United States. If the parts and products used in the MRO work are subject to tariffs, it could jeopardize the viability of domestic MROs and their highly skilled workforce, given that repair station work may be moved by aircraft owners and operators to outside the U.S. due to increasing costs.
It is vital to recognize that U.S. aviation manufacturing is in a global leadership position. This position can be improved by government policies and action focused on strengthening aviation safety agreements, policies and investments to bolster innovation, as well as measures to address specific aviation supply chain challenges.
GAMA is committed to working with the Trump Administration to advance safety, job creation and economic competitiveness in the industry.
GE AEROSPACE T901 ENGINE POWERS BLACK HAWK FOR FIRST TIME IN SUCCESSFUL GROUND RUNS
GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) announced today the successful completion of initial ground runs for the T901 engine on a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter at Sikorsky's West Palm Beach facility. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the Improved Turbine Engine Program's Black Hawk testing.
“These tests mark a pivotal moment in history as the T901 engine powers the Black Hawk for the first time,” said Amy Gowder, president and CEO, Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace. “This achievement paves the way for a more powerful and mission-ready Black Hawk, equipping the U.S. Army with the ability to meet the growing demands of future operations.”
The ground runs validated the initial performance of all critical systems - including fuel, electrical, hydraulic, engine and flight control systems, and engine bay flow. Additionally, the tests acquired data from the comprehensive aircraft and engine instrumentation that will be used throughout the flight test program.
Factory testing continues in parallel with this integration effort. The data gathered during these tests continues to validate that the T901 engine is on track to meet the U.S. Army's rigorous performance requirements.
“The successful ground runs of the T901 engine on the Black Hawk represent another critical milestone in our partnership with the U.S. Army,” said Tom Champion, GE Aerospace's T901 program director. “This latest accomplishment not only validates the T901 engine's unmatched performance but also reflect the unwavering effort of our team and strength of our partnership with both the U.S. Army and Sikorsky.”
The T901 engine builds on GE Aerospace's unparalleled legacy of powering Black Hawk and Apache helicopters with the combat-proven T700 engine, which has logged more than 100 million flight hours over the past four decades. Developed in response to the Army's call for increased power and reduced fuel consumption, the T901 delivers 50 percent more power, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced life cycle costs thanks to its simpler design and fewer parts. This efficiency translates to increased range, longer loiter time, and reduced maintenance and sustainment costs for the Army's enduring fleet.
The T901 is a cornerstone of the Army's modernization efforts, and today's milestone underscores GE Aerospace's commitment to delivering cutting-edge propulsion technology to meet the challenges of tomorrow's missions.
BIRTH OF DIDIER DELSALLE, FRENCH HELICOPTER TEST PILOT, FIRST PILOT TO LAND A HELICOPTER ON MOUNT EVEREST.
Didier Delsalle joined the French Air Force in 1979 as a fighter pilot. Two years later he became a helicopter pilot, participating in search and rescue operations for the next ten years. Delsalle was then hired by Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter supplier and a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, as chief test pilot.
On 14 May 2005 in the early morning Delsalle, set the world record for highest altitude landing of a helicopter when his Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel touched down on the 8,848 m (29,029 ft) summit of Mount Everest. The flight and the summit landing were captured by a battery of cameras and other equipment to validate the record. After sitting on top of the world for 3 minutes and 50 seconds, Delsalle lifted off and returned to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla, Nepal.
Delsalle used a virtually standard version of the Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel B3, only removing unnecessary elements, such as passenger seats, to reduce the standard weight by 120 kg (265 lb) and thus extend the 1-hour fuel range.
This accomplishment had required extensive testing on site, especially because of the low atmospheric pressure available for the helicopter rotors, winds of over 299 km/h (186 mph) at these altitudes and oxygen depletion for both Delsalle and his helicopter's engine. Delsalle had to find areas of downdrafts and updrafts to complete the flight. Delsalle repeated the Everest summit landing the next day, May 15, 2005, to prove that the previous day had not been simple luck.
USA, near North Philadelphia Airport (PNE/KPNE), Philadelphia, PA: A Learjet 55, Mexican-registry XA-UCI, operating as MTS56, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after take-off from North Philadelphia Airport (PNE/KPNE), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The two pilots, four passengers and one person on the ground sustained fatal injuries. In addition, nineteen people were injured on the ground.
Preliminary ADS-B data indicates that, at about 1806:10, the airplane departed runway 24 at PNE and entered a climb to an altitude of 1650 ft. At about 1806:56, the airplane entered a rapid descent towards the ground. The last recorded data point showed an average rate of -11000 fpm and a ground speed of 247 knots.
The 1754 recorded weather observation at KPNE included: 6 miles visibility, an overcast layer at 400 feet AGL, temperature 9°C, dewpoint 9°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.71 inches of mercury.
The 1814 recorded weather observation at KPNE included: 7 miles visibility, an overcast layer at 600 ft AGL, a variable ceiling between 400 to 800 ft, temperature 9°C, dewpoint 9°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.72 inches of mercury.
There were also reports of light rain and mist at the time of the event.
